X-Fi Platinum Fatal1ty 7.1 Champion

Mansize_tissue

Mansize_tissue

Mansize_tissue

Soldato
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I'm ordering a sound card soon, and i'm not really sure which to get. It's either going to be the Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Platinum Fatal1ty 7.1 Champion Series or the Xtreme Gamer Fatal1ty Professional; as i understand it, the only difference between the 2 is that the former comes with the front i/o drive. If this is the only difference, i guess i could justify the higher price since it would allow me to connect my headphones (Beyer DT 770 Pro, which i'm also going to be ordering soon) without unplugging my speakers from the sound card.

The card i choose basically comes down to how the front i/o bay with the X-Fi Platinum Fatal1ty 7.1 Champion connects to the sound card. Can anybody with this sound card and front i/o bay tell me how they connect because, if they use a big ribbon cable, i think i'll get the cheaper Fatal1ty card.

If i do decide to get the card without the front i/o bay, what would be the best way to connect my headphones to my computer? I'd like to be able to connect my Creative 5.1 speakers to the sound card, then connect the headphones to the little control module for the speakers. Is this possible, or will it degrade sound quality at all? I guess i could also connect the headphones to the front audio port on my case; would this mean i have to connect the leads from the front audio port to the sound card?

Also, while i'm at it, are the Beyer DT 770 Pros (80 ohm) my best option, from a gaming-only perspective, in the sub-£100 range? Bearing in mind i don't, and don't plan to, have an amplifier.

Thank you.
 
From my other post.

" My X-Fi Fata1ty Champion Pro somehow sounds better than my Extreme Music did (dont get Gamer as I read its got bad caps/daps), I now could not live without the Front Panel's remote function, using 3rd part app I can use nearly any music/movie player and sit back on settee and watch my .avis on big TV without trying to use mouse as a remote. "
 
It uses a big ugly grey ribbon cable that you can't really get differently, but I'll still be getting it as have read up on many problems with the non Champion version which dont exist on the champion one (although no idea why that would be... practically the same card, probably much better drivers).


As for headphones, i've been recommended a pair of antec-a900s by some audiophiles, whilst im pretty sure the beyerdynamics arent too shabby :P

P.S: You can put the ribbon down the back of the mobo between the mobo fixings so it doesnt look shabby, or spray paint it if you really care, but thats not too sensible.
 
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*Chris said:
It uses a big ugly grey ribbon cable that you can't really get differently, but I'll still be getting it as have read up on many problems with the non Champion version which dont exist on the champion one (although no idea why that would be... practically the same card, probably much better drivers).

As for headphones, i've been recommended a pair of antec-a900s by some audiophiles, whilst im pretty sure the beyerdynamics arent too shabby :P

P.S: You can put the ribbon down the back of the mobo between the mobo fixings so it doesnt look shabby, or spray paint it if you really care, but thats not too sensible.
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Mmm, that's really lame. Thank you for your response, but the ribbon cable is a real put-off. I was hoping the ribbon cable was only required if you wanted to use the remote, although i guess this isn't the case. :(
I think it'd be hard to route the cable behind the motherboard because of the direction it will be in after it's connected to the card.

What have you heard about the non-Champion card being worse than the Champion one? If not for the front i/o panel, i may have to get the more expensive card for this reason.
 
A lot of people have complained about crackling and popping sounds with the non-champion, but i have read reviews saying this wasnt a problem with the better setup. No idea how true it is though so i can't really say much.
 
Why not just buy the cheapest OEM Extreme Music? It's not like you'll use the X-Ram, nor the seperate rack mount. Put the rest towards some new speakers.
 
I plan on modding the cable to make it rounded, when I start using my X-fi again which wont be until they sort the drivers out.
 
*Chris said:
A lot of people have complained about crackling and popping sounds with the non-champion, but i have read reviews saying this wasnt a problem with the better setup. No idea how true it is though so i can't really say much.
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That doesn't sound too good; do you have any links to the reviews you speak of?

squiffy said:
Why not just buy the cheapest OEM Extreme Music? It's not like you'll use the X-Ram, nor the seperate rack mount. Put the rest towards some new speakers.
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While this is definitely the more attractive option, i'd have thought the Xtreme Music card wouldn't be as high quality as the Fatal1ty card. How much difference is there between the 2?

helmutcheese said:
I do not use a ribbon, I poked a hole in the blank of a normal rounded ATA66+ cable (80core) and use that instead.
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Ah, i suppose this is a possibility if i get this card. I'd just need to buy a normal rounded IDE cable, right? But, what do you mean you poked a hole in it?

Also, bearing in mind i don't have an amplifier, are the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pros (80 ohm) my best option for gaming headphones in this price range?

Thank you for your help, guys.
 
While this is definitely the more attractive option, i'd have thought the Xtreme Music card wouldn't be as high quality as the Fatal1ty card. How much difference is there between the 2?
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I really doubt you'll notice the difference with those speakers.
It's like letting a OAP driving a Aston Martin.

and tbh if you really want excellent music sound quality, you should look at another card. M-Audio Audiophile 192. Your speakers will still be the weakest link though.
 
mr_x_plosion said:
Will any of the OcUK rounded IDE cables work then?

such as this one? http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CB-059-GE&groupid=701&catid=48&subcat=151
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I hope so, yes. I plan on getting something similar if i end up getting the card with the front i/o panel. I just found out that the front audio connectors on my case can't be connected to the sound card, so i might have to get the more expensive card, unless i want to unplug the speakers from the back of my case every time i want to use the headphones.

The only other alternative would be to connect my headphones to the control module on my current 5.1 speaker set; is it possible, or will i lose some audio quality?
 
OK, here's another option. I could get the X-Meridian card, couldn't i? Would this allow me to connect the front audio ports on my case to it? Also, is it a "better" card than the X-Fi Fatal1ty i've been looking at; for gaming, that is?
 
BUMP. I don't know whether to get the X-Fi Fatal1ty of X-Meridian, any suggestions? Also, will the the latter allow me to connect the front audio connectors on my case to the card?
 
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helmutcheese said:
I am reading but can only input same as I have already as I have that hardware, if you game Creative is really only way to go.
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Yeah, i'm going to have to agree with you. Being a gamer, it's going to have to be the X-Fi. Thank you for reassuring me. :)
 
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